How To Become A Web Developer in 2021 — Everything You Need To Know

8 min readJul 2, 2021

Technology plays a huge role in our daily lives, from the simplest of apps to the most groundbreaking inventions. Every website or piece of software that we encounter has been built by a web developer — but what exactly is web development, and what does a web developer do?

To the outside eye, it can seem like a complicated, confusing and somewhat inaccessible field. So, to shed some light on this fascinating industry, we’ve put together the ultimate introduction to web development and what it takes to become a fully-fledged web developer.

In this guide, we’ll go through the basics of web development in detail, and show you the essential skills and tools you’ll need to break into the industry. If you decide web development is for you, the next step is to start learning those essential skills, which you can do in this free, online short course designed for beginners.

First, though, we’ll take a look at the web development industry as it stands in 2021, and consider whether web development is a smart career move — with a particular focus on the impact of 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

Feel free to skip ahead using the clickable menu. Let’s go!

1. Is now a good time to become a web developer? (2021 update)

Before you jump into a new career, it’s important to consider the path ahead. Can your new industry offer you ample opportunity and stability? How likely are you to get hired after your chosen program or bootcamp?

In the wake of 2020, these questions are more important than ever. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the economy and on the job market, with hiring slowing down in many sectors. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the state of the web development industry in 2021.

Are web developers in demand right now?

You’ll have noticed that, no matter what’s going on in the world around us, technology is omnipresent in our lives. Whether it’s scrolling through our favorite social media apps, checking the news, paying for something online, or connecting with colleagues using collaboration software and tools — most of what we do relies on some form of technology. Behind this technology is a team of web developers who have not only built it, but constantly maintain it to ensure it works flawlessly.

Those who can build and maintain websites, apps, and software have a crucial role to play in today’s technology-driven world — and this is reflected in the web development job market. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of web developers is projected to grow 8% from 2019 to 2029 — much faster than the average for all occupations.

But does this still stand after the unpredictable twists and turns of 2020? In a word, yes; web developers seem to have weathered the storm relatively well. Full-stack developer came in second on indeed’s list of the best jobs for 2020, and we can see this continuing through 2021 and beyond. Just search the web for the most in-demand tech skills in 2021 and you’ll find things like web development, cloud computing, DevOps, and problem-solving.

Full-stack development in particular will continue to be highly attractive to employers. Writing for TechCrunch, Sergio Granada notes how full-stack developers have been integral to business during the COVID-19 crisis: “In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the ability to do full-stack development can make engineers extremely marketable as companies across all industries migrate their business to a virtual world. Those who can quickly develop and deliver software projects thanks to full-stack methods have the best shot to be at the top of a company’s or client’s wish list.”

If you’re keen to quantify the demand for web developers, search for “web developer” or “full-stack developer” roles in your area on sites like indeed, glassdoor, and LinkedIn. We did a quick search for web development roles in the United States and, at the time of writing, found over 26,000 vacancies.

As you can see, web developers continue to be in high demand — in spite of, and perhaps even more so because of, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Talking of which, how has COVID-19 affected the web development industry? Let’s take a look.

How has COVID-19 affected the industry?

While many industries have struggled (and continue to do so) as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the tech industry has fared relatively well. Many organizations are relying on digital tools to enable them to operate remotely, placing even more importance on technology and the people who build it. As such, many are anticipating an industry boom: according to Market Data Forecast, the tech industry will grow from $131 billion USD in 2020 to $295 billion in 2025.

Of course, new and aspiring web developers can expect some changes as a result of COVID-19. First and foremost, it’s important to consider the rise of remote work. When it comes to looking for your first job within the field, you should be prepared to work remotely at least some of the time, if not on a full-time basis. Fortunately, web development is a career that lends itself to remote work. You can learn more about what it’s like to work as a remote developer in this guide.

We’re also anticipating that web developer jobs will increase in certain sectors as a direct result of the products and services that are most in-demand right now. For example, sectors like healthcare, media and entertainment, online banking, remote education, and e-commerce will continue to grow to reflect consumer needs and behaviors in a more socially-distant world.

In all, the impact of COVID-19 on the tech industry, and on web developers, has been minimal compared to other sectors. Although the situation is still unfolding, new and aspiring web developers can feel confident that they’re embarking on a future-proof career. If you’re curious as to what it’s like to be a newly-qualified tech graduate in the midst of a pandemic, take a look at our guide to job searching during COVID-19. In it, Mike McCulloch, Head of Career Services at CareerFoundry, shares his observations of the tech job market, together with some great advice on how to market yourself as a newcomer to the field.

So…should you become a web developer in 2021?

So what’s the verdict? Is now a good time to become a web developer?

Looking at the job market and projected employment growth, we think the answer is pretty clear. Now is an excellent time to become a web developer! Now more than ever, technology is pivotal to how we work, connect with loved ones, access healthcare, shop…and the list goes on. If you’re thinking about joining this exciting industry and building the technology of the future, we say go for it.

But first, let’s get back to basics. What exactly is web development, and what does a web developer actually do? Keep reading to find out.

2. What is web development?

Web development is the process of building websites and applications for the internet, or for a private network known as an intranet. Web development is not concerned with the design of a website; rather, it’s all about the coding and programming that powers the website’s functionality.

From the most simple, static web pages to social media platforms and apps, from ecommerce websites to content management systems (CMS); all the tools we use via the internet on a daily basis have been built by web developers.

Web development can be broken down into three layers: client-side coding (frontend), server-side coding (backend) and database technology.

Let’s take a look at each of these layers in more detail.

Client-side

Client-side scripting, or frontend development, refers to everything that the end user experiences directly. Client-side code executes in a web browser and directly relates to what people see when they visit a website. Things like layout, fonts, colours, menus and contact forms are all driven by the frontend.

Server-side

Server-side scripting, or backend development, is all about what goes on behind the scenes. The backend is essentially the part of a website that the user doesn’t actually see. It is responsible for storing and organizing data, and ensuring that everything on the client-side runs smoothly. It does this by communicating with the frontend. Whenever something happens on the client-side — say, a user fills out a form — the browser sends a request to the server-side. The server-side “responds” with relevant information in the form of frontend code that the browser can then interpret and display.

Learn more: What’s the difference between frontend and backend?

Database technology

Websites also rely on database technology. The database contains all the files and content that are necessary for a website to function, storing it in such a way that makes it easy to retrieve, organize, edit and save. The database runs on a server, and most websites typically use some form of relational database management system (RDBMS).

To summarize: the frontend, backend and database technology all work together to build and run a fully functional website or application, and these three layers form the foundation of web development.

The difference between web development and web design

You might hear the terms web development and web design used interchangeably, but these are two very different things.

Imagine a web designer and web developer working together to build a car: the developer would take care of all the functional components, like the engine, the wheels and the gears, while the designer would be responsible for both the visual aspects — how the car looks, the layout of the dashboard, the design of the seats — and for the user experience provided by the car, so whether or not it’s a smooth drive.

Web designers design how the website looks and feels. They model the layout of the website, making sure it’s logical, user-friendly and pleasant to use. They consider all the different visual elements: what colour schemes and fonts will be used? What buttons, drop-down menus and scrollbars should be included, and where? What interactive touchpoints does the user interact with to get from point A to B? Web design also considers the information architecture of the website, establishing what content will be included and where it should be placed.

Web design is an extremely broad field, and will often be broken down into more specific roles such as User Experience Design, User Interface Design and Information Architecture.

It is the web developer’s job to take this design and develop it into a live, fully functional website. A frontend developer takes the visual design as provided by the web designer and builds it using coding languages such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript. A backend developer builds the more advanced functionality of the site, such as the checkout function on an ecommerce site.

In short, a web designer is the architect, while the web developer is the builder or engineer.

Learn more: What is the difference between a web developer and a web designer?

3. A brief history of the World Wide Web

The web as we know it today has been decades in the making. To help understand how web development works, let’s go back to where it all started and consider how the internet has evolved over the years.